Méribel (Alpes du Nord) - The pearl of the 3 Vallées, nestled in the heart of the world's largest ski area, is renowned for its traditional village, its warm atmosphere and its wooden chalets. Our Anglo-Saxon neighbours love it.
What's new
By way of new in MéribelWe can offer you... accommodation. Due to a lack of ski lifts, Hotel Le Coucou was unable to welcome its first guests last year, but it's planning to make up for it this winter.
The decor of this third 5* resort in Méribel was carefully thought out by Niçois interior designer Pierre Yovanovitch, who opted for a predominance of natural materials, stone and wood.
It has 55 rooms and suites, plus two private chalets for those seeking a little more privacy. Good to know: non-guests can take advantage of the hotel's Beefbar and its Tata Harper spa.
- Price : from €460 for a double room with breakfast
- Address: 464, route de Belvédère, 73 550 Les Allies
- Contact: 04 57 58 37 37
The ski area
Les 3 Vallées is one of the world's leading ski areas. And for good reason, it includes some of the finest resorts in the Tarentaise, from Courchevel to Orelle, via La Tania, Saint Martin de Belleville, Les Menuires, Val Thorens and, of course, Méribel.
The sheer size of the area means you can find good snow at any time of day, following the path of the sun, and moving from the gentle forest of Courchevel de Praz to the high altitude alpine atmosphere at the summit of Cime Caron in Val Thorens.
In figures Les 3 Vallées is :
- 600 kilometres of pistes
- 330 pistes
- 156 ski lifts
- From 1 100 to 3 230 metres above sea level
Focus on Méribel :
- 150 kilometres of pistes
- 8 green slopes
- 26 blue runs
- 26 red slopes
- 8 black runs
Between the legendary runs such as Combe du Vallon on Méribel Mottaret and Jean Blanc on Le Praz, there are numerous itineraries suitable for beginners and experts alike, making it easy to cover the whole area without having to use the same run twice.
It's worth noting that the pistes in Les 3 Vallées have the reputation of being the best prepared in the world, thanks to the use of over 70 snow groomers every evening.
Ski passes
- For Méribel
The day Adults €56 / children (aged 5-13) €44.80 / seniors (aged 65-75) €50.40
The 6-day week adults €279 / children €223 / seniors €251 / families (2 adults with 2 or more children) €223
- For the 3 Valleys
4 hours or 1/2 day : adults: €67 / children €53.60 / senior citizens €60.30
The day adults €75 / children €60 / seniors €67.50
The 6-day week adults €375 / children €300 / seniors €337
Off-ski activities
A magical horse ride
If you let yourself be carried along the horses of the valley ? In Méribel, you can discover the resort's idyllic landscapes with these majestic animals by sled, ski-joering or riding them the traditional way.
There are a number of options available, for children and adults alike, whether they're coming with friends, family or loved ones. For children aged 3 to 8, for example, there's a pony ride in the forest.
- One-off price for this activity: €20.
Frosty fun at the ice rink
At the end of the day, swap your ski boots for ice skates! The ice rink at the Parc Olympique is just waiting for you to hit the ice for disco, foam, fluorescent and electro nights.
For those who are not yet completely at ease, it is possible to book a course. Finally, for fans of board sports, exhibition hockey matches are held every Tuesday evening during the school holidays.
- Admission is €6 for adults and €4.50 for children under 18. Admission is free for children under 5 and over-75s, and there is a reduced rate of €3 for people with disabilities. There is also an adult season ticket for €79, a child season ticket for €55 and a resident season ticket for €63.
- Helmet hire is free, while skate hire costs €4.
- Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
- The rink is open from 4pm to 7pm, but during the school holidays there are evening skating sessions every Thursday from 8pm to 10pm.
A walk in the snow
A ski holiday wouldn't be complete without a nice walk in the heart of nature. So strap on your snowshoes and explore Méribel and its breathtaking scenery of mountains and forests.
A walk in the fresh air, with the sound of the snow crackling under your feet, is sure to recharge your batteries. It's also a great opportunity to take a few souvenir photos, which you can post on social networks or treasure for years to come.
The resort offers a wide choice of walks, such as the "Raquette Découverte" on Sunday and Monday mornings, excluding snowshoe and stick hire. More original and sure to please gourmets is the "Raquett'Apéro" activity which, as well as a walk to discover the fauna, offers the chance to taste local produce in the forest. A real treat!
- The "Raquett'Apéro" costs €38 for the "Raquette Découverte" and €44 and €39 for children under 16. Headlamps and aperitif (charcuterie, cheese and Savoie wines) are included.
Where to stay in Méribel?
L'Adray Télébar
Following on from Le Coucou at the start of this article, we now present you with a 3-star chalet-hotel, more affordable in terms of budget, but just as welcoming. Simplicity and good humour are the watchwords of the Bonnet family, who have run the Adray Télébar with a master's hand for over 71 years.
If the service is impeccable, the success of this accommodation is also due to its privileged location, on the blue Doron. In addition to its 21 rooms and 3 modes, the hotel boasts a superb relaxation spa and a south-facing terrace to replenish your vitamin D levels.
- Prices : from €319 in a double room with half board
- Address: 2020, route de l'Altiport, 73 550 Les Allues
- Contact: 04 79 08 60 26
Chalet les 3 coeurs
With 250m² of floor space, the chalet is divided into four floors. The ground floor and first floor are the bedrooms, with double or single beds that can be joined together.
The bedrooms are decorated in a traditional, typical style, with a predominance of light wood. The second floor comprises the living room and kitchen.
A large wood-burning stove warms the whole room, adding to the cocooning atmosphere. Finally, the basement boasts a jaccuzi and sauna, a much-appreciated wellness area after a long day in the mountains.
- Prices : Not communicated
- Address: 65 chemin du four, 73550 Les Allues
- Contact: 06 67 17 15 18
La Chaudane
How to define La Chaudane in two words? Luxurious and family-friendly, because the two can go hand in hand, as demonstrated by this chic and cosy 4-star establishment. Its brasserie, Le 80, is well worth a visit, as is its Nuxe Spa for relaxing after an energetic day on the slopes.
- Prices : from €335 per double room with breakfast
- Address: 88, rue des Jeux-Olympiques, 73 550 Les Allues
- Contact: 04 79 08 61 76
Where to eat in Méribel
Tsaretta Spice
Méribel has established itself as a gastronomic mecca, and Tsaretta Spice is one of the best restaurants in the resort, as rated by Tripadvisor. Here you'll find all the flavours of India in a top-of-the-range version.
Whether you choose the Delhi Butter Chicken, the Duck Kolapuri or the
Dal Makhani, a change of scenery guaranteed! Good to know, the restaurant also offers takeaway meals.
- Prices : main courses from €19.50
- Address: Immeuble La Saulire, Route de Morel, 73 550 Les Allues
- Contact: 04 79 08 51 26
The Ekrin by Laurent Azoulay
Holidays are all about indulging, and indulging means indulging too. Chef Laurent Azoulay is well aware of this, and his Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant in the luxury chalet/hotel Le Kaïla offers refined, varied cuisine.
"The menu features the finest fish from the Mediterranean as well as fir bud honey, saffron and Savoy snails, not forgetting vegetables from Éric Roy in Tours. A creative and colourful cuisine, fine and delicate, that dares to make daring combinations"., commented the Red Guide inspector.
- Prices : the first menu, known as "L'Autentik", costs €180
- Address: 124, rue des Jeux Olympiques, 73 550 Meribel, Les Allues
- Contact: 04 79 41 69 35
Tsaretta
It's all in one. At Tsaretta you can enjoy a combination of incredible food, a wide selection of beers, wines and cocktails and the best live music in the Meribel valley, all under one roof.
From rock bands to original artists, up-and-coming DJs to folk musicians, the venue offers an entertaining and diverse calendar of live music every winter. What's more, the food - pizzas and burgers - keeps the body going, making it ideal after a day of exercise.
- Prices : a margherita costs €13
- Address: Route des Carons Chef Lieu, 73 550, Les Allues
- Contact: 04 79 08 61 00
How do I get to Méribel?
- By plane
The nearest international airports are Geneva (Switzerland), Lyon (France) and Chambéry (France). Grenoble and Turin are also options. From these airports, you can hire a car, take a taxi, or use shared or private transfer services to reach Méribel.
- By train
Moûtiers railway station is the closest to Méribel. It is served by trains from Paris and other major French cities, including TGV and Eurostar services during the ski season. From Moûtiers, buses and taxis are available to take you to Méribel. The journey takes around 30 minutes.
- Per car
From France, Méribel can be reached via the N90, which leads to Moûtiers. From here, follow the signs for Méribel on the D90. The journey from Paris takes around 7 hours.
Be careful in winter, as road conditions can be difficult. Make sure your vehicle is equipped for snowCheck the road and weather conditions before setting off.
Méribel offers several parking options, but it's advisable to book in advance during the high season. Once in Méribel, you can use the free shuttle buses that run regularly between the different areas of the resort.
Méribel, in brief
For 84 years now, Méribel has been attracting both a middle-class and sporting clientele thanks to its elegance and discretion. Once again this winter, the picture-postcard resort will come alive from 2 December 2023 to 21 April 2024.
To find out more, visit the official resort website.
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